Animal Welfare a priority for European citizens
Written by George Farrugia – Promotional Officer within the Office of the Commissioner for Animal Welfare
European citizens stress that the future of Europe means that there should be more protection and proper treatment of animals (Animal Welfare). One of the priorities of European citizens is ‘Animal Welfare’. This emerged from a report by the ‘Eurogroup for Animals’, where it is noted that Animal Welfare is as essential as freedom of expression. This report also states that the future of Animal Welfare is very sensitive. It is so sensitive that for European citizens this is an area as important as the fight against climate change, taxation, as well as the fight against corruption (Eurogroup for Animals, 2019).
This report revealed that one in seven participants stressed that the field of animal welfare and protection is one of their wishes, and that this should be one of Europe’s priorities. It is also interesting to note that thirteen percent (13%) of European citizens stressed that if there were more decisions in favour of animal welfare and protection at European level, these European citizens said that they would feel grateful and proud.
The future of agriculture, fisheries and food production are some of the main priorities that Europe should focus on. All this is fundamental in order to respect biodiversity and to have more awareness and promotion of organic farming, vegetarianism, control over fisheries and control over animals when they are being transported from one place to another, as well as the protection and protection of animals in general.
The findings of this report reinforce what emerged from the 2016 Eurobarometer, where a large number of European citizens stressed the urgency and need for action on animal welfare. Another 2017 European Parliament report on animal welfare reveals that, despite strong support from the European public, EU laws exclude different species. Therefore, some existing laws should be amended to bring them up to the required standard.
In 2019, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) agreed to support the Eurogroup for Animals on the ‘Animal Welfare and Welfare’ campaign. Reineke Hameleers, Director of the Eurogroup stresses that,
“Both the Party of European Socialists and the Greens have clear commitments to improve animal welfare in the next term. I hope we will now see similar commitments from other pan-European parties and candidates in the remainder of the campaign] (Eurogroup for Animals, 2019, par. 9) “
As is clear from a number of published reports, the trend in favour of the field of Animal Welfare and Appropriate Treatment among the European peoples is constantly strengthening and increasing. All this encourages and puts more pressure on the Maltese authorities so that our country as a member of the European Union, contributes and gives priority to the animal sector with decisions and policies in the field of Animal Welfare and Appropriate Treatment. Also, from these reports mentioned above, it is clear that the issue of animals, and their Welfare and Appropriate Treatment is of interest not to any particular country, but to every Member State, including our country.
Because today there is more knowledge about Animal Welfare and Appropriate Treatment, this phenomenon is raising more interest and awareness among the European peoples, including among the Maltese people. Therefore, the commitment of the Maltese authorities in the animal sector should be given priority, as well as the legislative area regarding animal welfare, should be at the top of the agenda.
On the other hand, over the years, our country has seen great leaps forward in the field of animals and their treatment and protection. One mentions the appointment of a Commissioner in 2014, as well as various educational campaigns and changes in various laws related to animal cruelty. One says, is all this not enough? As emerges from the reports mentioned above, it is clear that the field of Animal Welfare and Appropriate Treatment is crucial in order to safeguard and strengthen the field of Animal Welfare and Appropriate Treatment. How can all this be done? As members and European citizens, we should participate in public consultations as well as in interviews that are sometimes conducted in order to further strengthen awareness among the Maltese people, as well as ensure that animals are treated appropriately.
Maltese citizens, like other European citizens, have the right to make their voices heard both locally and internationally in order to put more pressure on Maltese and European authorities, so that Animal Welfare and Treatment is at the forefront of the agenda. Therefore, with our participation and activism as Maltese, we will be strengthening the voice of animals, a voice that animals do not have. Therefore, we as the Maltese people, together with the European people, must be there so that Animal Welfare and Treatment is treated as a priority, as ultimately emerges from the Eurogroup for Animals report.
Reference
Eurogroup for Animals. (2019). The future of Europe means more animal welfare, say Europe’s citizens.
Press Release, Brussels. Retrieved from: https://www.eurogroupforanimals.org/news/future-europe-means-more-animal-welfare-say-europes-citizens